Coast Guard suspends search off Sandy Hook

Bay Head, NJ
Waves pound the dunes in Bay Head, as seen from the Osborne Avenue beach looking south. The dunes in this town were nearly demolished during Hurricane Sandy and have gone through massive reconstruction projects.
102718(Photo: Courtesy of Tom Spader)

NEW YORK — The Coast Guard suspended a search for a man who fell overboard off a container ship in the Ambrose Channel, north of Sandy Hook.

After 24 hours of searching for the 35-year-old man, who fell off the container ship Northern Jaguar while securing a pilot ladder about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard suspended the search, according to a news release on Sunday. A pilot ladder helps crew members board or leave a ship. Watch the video above for a glimpse of Saturday's weather and surf conditions.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends involved in this case. The suspension of an active search and rescue case is a difficult decision to make,” Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, said in a statement. "Factors such as water temperature, weather conditions, and length of time the person has been missing, inform the decision.”

Bay Head, NJ
Waves pound the dunes in Bay Head, as seen from the Osborne Avenue beach looking south. The dunes in this town were nearly demolished during Hurricane Sandy and have gone through massive reconstruction projects.
102718 Courtesy of Tom Spader

Giselle Scalzo, Port Monmouth, emerges from the back seat of the car as she and Jessica Hirsch, (starting up the ladder) Port Monmouth, and Abby Cimmino, (entering the truck) Red Bank, had to be rescued on Wilson Ave, Port Monmouth. Their car was stuck in high water. Not pictured is Abby's brother Tyler Cimmino, Red Bank, who was also in the car. At far left is Port Monmouth firefighter Nick Quiles and at center is firefighter Lt. Robert Svenson, Jr. Person at right is unidentified. A nor'easter storm brought heavy rain, wind and flooding to Monmouth County Saturday, October 27, 2018. Russ DeSantis/for the Asbury Park Press

The curious make their wave to the end of Point Peasant boardwalk so he can take pictures of the waves at the inlet from latest nor'easter in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on October 27, 2018 Peter Ackerman

Jessica Hirsch (back to camera) Port Monmouth, emerges from the back seat of the car as she, Abby Cimmino, Red Bank, and two others not pictured, had to be rescued on Wilson Ave, Port Monmouth. Their car was stuck in high water. At left is Port Monmouth firefighter Lt. Robert Svenson, Jr. Person at right is unidentified. A nor'easter storm brought heavy rain, wind and flooding to Monmouth County Saturday, October 27, 2018. Russ DeSantis/For the Asbury Park Press